In a celebration of our community, six former participants of the My Voice, My Journey program come together to create a stunning mural titled ‘Njindiwan’ for Service NSW Batemans Bay. The painting was launched at a special event with Dr Michael Holland MP, Service NSW staff, and My Voice, My Journey participants.
The mural, named ‘Njindiwan,’ pays homage to our community on Walbunja Country. The animals represent the different totems of our mob with the Black Duck (Umbarra) totem taking center stage. Additionally, the other totems featured remind us that our community is made up of mobs from all over the country and overseas. The black circles depicted in the artwork represent water holes, while the dotting inside them signifies the meeting places where tribes traditionally converged during their journeys. The brown areas between the black circles represent rivers merging into the ocean, highlighting the interconnectedness of land, water, and community.
A particularly poignant element of the mural is the inclusion of handprints surrounding the painting, symbolizing the presence and contribution of our youth to the artwork and the broader community. These handprints serve as a reminder of the resilience, creativity, and strength of our next generation, whose voices and perspectives are integral to shaping our community.
As the mural ‘Njindiwan’ takes its place within Service NSW Batemans Bay, it stands as a powerful testament to the broader community of Batemans Bay. Through art and storytelling, the participants of My Voice, My Journey have created a visual masterpiece that honors the past celebrates the present, and inspires the future.
